Frankie storms ahead
LANDMARK WIN FOR DETTORI
CRACKSMAN tamed Storm Brian with a thunderous QIPCO Champion Stakes triumph that lit up Ascot – and took Frankie Dettori to a new landmark.
In a glittering career that stretches back more than three decades, Dettori had never captured the 10-furlong highlight of the £4.3million British Champions Day.
But the Italian set the record straight when driving the John Gosdentrained colt, a first Group 1 winner for the great Frankel, to an imperious seven-length margin.
Dettori, on board for the Anthony Oppenheimerowned three-year-old’s Derby third at Epsom in June, beamed: “Big up to John Gosden, the Oppenheimers, all the team for making his horse develop – a storming performance! What I rode today is not what I rode at Epsom. He’s stronger – he’s a good horse now.”
Cracksman was competing over 10 furlongs for the first time since the spring, but Dettori knew Storm Brian’s visit to Royal Berkshire had worked in the 13-8 market leader’s favour.
“When the rain came I was delighted – it made it more of a test of stamina,” added Dettori, who committed his partner to the front running to the final quarter mile.
“I played my ace – catch me if you can – because I knew he would get to the end, no problem.
“The headwind helped as well, because it made it even harder to get to the end.”
Gosden and Dettori had earlier captured the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with 8-1 chance Persuasive, who signed off her career in style with a first Group 1 success.
Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, fresh from watching the Seagulls’ 3-0 win at West Ham on Friday, secured his first Group 1 as an owner when Librisa Breeze triumphed in the British Champions Sprint Stakes.